Man injured when package explodes at his home

MODESTO (KTXL) -- A man originally from Modesto is recovering after a package he received at his Philadelphia home exploded. Federal and local authorities are investigating what they call a targeted attack.

Thursday, video of a person of interest was released.

The victim, Jim Alden, opened the package addressed to him at his home in Philadelphia on November 22. He thought it was his asthma medication, but it wasn't.

It was a homemade explosive device that detonated in the 60-year-old's hands.

A frantic 3 a.m. phone call shook Alden's friend Talbott Smith out of a deep sleep last Tuesday. On the other end of the line he got news that Alden was seriously hurt.

"I can't imagine why anyone would want to hurt this man," said Smith.

Shrapnel hit Alden's face, chest and arms. Two of his fingers were also damaged.

Philadelphia police released video of a person of interest. The video shows an Asian man dropping off the package at Alden's home. Whether or not that same man made the device is undetermined.

Detectives do believe the former Stanislaus County resident was targeted, but they don't know why.

"The victim does not appear to know who would want to harm him," said Philadelphia Police Commissioner Richard Ross.

Alden is out of the hospital and recovering at home. Since he won't be able to work anytime soon, Smith started an online fundraiser to help his lifelong friend.

"It's to help him get through his life for the next several months that it's going to take him to recover from this horrendous crime that was committed against him," said Smith.

The ATF and FBI are investigating. Police said a motive hasn't been determined.